Garbage Disposal Fees Stay Steady

Recycling Revenue Holds Costs In Check

May 18, 1995|By NICOLE STERGHOS Staff Writer

Only unincorporated residents pay collection fees through the Solid Waste Authority. Cities have their own garbage collection services and recoup those costs from residents. County residents will see the results of their recycling efforts in next year's garbage bills.

Garbage disposal fees, assessed countywide, will remain the same next year, according to the Solid Waste Authority's proposed $127.6 million budget presented on Wednesday.

Garbage collection rates, charged by the Solid Waste Authority to its customers in unincorporated areas, will rise slightly.

Collection rates in cities are not set by the authority.

Significant increases in anticipated revenues, including an expected $8.5 million from the sale of recyclables next year, will enable officials to hold the line on most rates, said Charles Maccarrone, the authority's finance director.

Single-family residents in unincorporated south county, who currently pay between $69 and $94 for curbside garbage collection, will pay $3 to $4 more for collection next year. Multi-family residents in unincorporated south county who pay between$33 and $58 and use large trash containers, such as Dumpsters, in their complexes will pay $2 to $3 more.

Only unincorporated residents pay collection fees through the Solid Waste Authority, which has collection contracts with several haulers. Cities have their own garbage collection services and recoup those costs from residents through taxes or fees.

Two years ago, the Solid Waste Authority slashed collection rates by 40 percent by rebidding its contract, saving $58 million over five years. But to remain competitive, the contract included an annual inflation increase that would fluctuate with rising - or falling - prices, Maccarrone said. But disposal rates will stay the same thanks to county efforts to boost recycling progams.

"One of the biggest differences in the budget is the recycling revenue," Maccarrone told county commissioners, who also serve as authority board members.

The authority expects to make $8.5 million, or $5.6 million more this year than last, by selling recovered recyclables, mostly because of the escalating price of newspaper, corrugated containers and mixed paper.

The agency anticipates recycling revenue to reach $15 million by 2000.

The proposed $127.6 million budget for the 1995-96 fiscal year is $6.4 million less than the current $134 million budget.

The budget includes a 4 percent raise for authority employees.

The agency also expects to spend $1.1 million more to process vegetation and up to $3.25 million for new projects.